Virtual Worlds Strengthen Rules to Protect Children After Avatar Kidnapping

[mandy]

This is a true story. The names have been changed to protect an innocent 13-year old and her avatar. It's early September, 2007. "Bluebird" is wandering the Towns section of the Gaia virtual world. Bluebird is an avatar, the creation of Clementine, a bright and articulate 13-year Manhattanite. Bluebird has been 'modded out' with a jackal's head (a nod to the Egyptian god Anubis). She wears a tunic with billowy crimson and plum sleeves (a gift from the goddesses), set off by a sash of golden cloth. A sun staff marks the way forward. From below, a ring of purple flames encircles her. From above, a spirit eagle soars, watching down upon her.

A stranger (all but one of Bluebird's Gaia friends are known to her in the "real world") asks her to "gift" him a cape. Despite a polite and repeated "no," he continues to harangue her. She is trying to escape the stranger when a PM arrives...

full article: http://www.jackmyers.com/commentary/medi...93066.html